For the first time, Panasonic Eneloop batteries were produced in 2005 within the framework of the For a Sustainable Lifestyle concept (for a sustainable lifestyle). They are completely environmentally friendly product, at the same time and cost-effective product. Batteries once charged with solar energy can be used for several years.
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Battery Manufacturer Eneloop
The first LSD Ni-MH models were launched by Sanyo under the brand name Eneloop (“Energy Loop”). The batteries were produced in two sizes: AA (finger-type) and AAA (finger-type) with a capacity of 800 and 2000 mAh. In 2009, the Japanese company Panasonic received a controlling stake in the ownership and production of these products.
In 2012, another batch of Eneloop was released, already under the Panasonic brand. As a result, all the batteries presented here began to be manufactured according to the innovative patented LSD technology, and the capacity of the most popular category became 2450 mAh.
Applied technologies and their features
Modern nickel-metal hydride batteries are made using Low Self-Discharge (LSD) technology. Due to this, they do not experience aging and save up to 84% of the charge after one year of storage. For comparison, most of the same batteries of the previous generation lose their energy intensity at the very beginning after charging.
It should be noted that Panasonic Eneloop batteries go on sale charged and are used immediately after removal from the box. Moreover, the temperature at which they can operate uninterruptedly from - 20 to + 55 degrees. In other words, these batteries are called LSD-batteries due to the abbreviation low self-discharge, which literally means "low self-discharge".
Batteries have three distinctive features:
- Initial environmental charge;
- A large number of recharge cycles;
- High reliability and resistance to self-discharge.
First, they are charged with solar panels in accordance with the technology of "green" standards. In general, because of this property, the category began to be called Eneloop, formed from the words Loop and Energy (looped energy).
The increased number of recharge series is an undeniable advantage of this type of battery. According to the specialists of this company, it is allowed to charge-discharge up to 2100 times for Eneloop batteries. Consequently, one accumulator device is replaced with several thousand simple batteries.
Another feature of batteries of this type is their great resistance to self-discharge, it has not changed much for several years. It was experimentally established that the charge after five years of storage is maintained at 70%. At the same time, simple batteries run out of power after 1 year.
Technical characteristics of a model range
The model range of LSD-batteries consists of three basic models, each of which is provided for certain working conditions. For the full use of their qualities, it is important to correctly select the appropriate model.
A conventional battery has an optimal large capacity connection of the order of 1900 mAh and an increased number of charge / discharge cycles up to 2100 times. Moreover, you can use such batteries even after 10 years of storage.
Although batteries with conventional sizes on the market account for about 85% of the entire battery range, there are requests for power supplies and other sizes. For example, when used in portable radios or large lanterns, sizes C and D are needed, while for transformation AA batteries adapters are used.
Eneloop pro
This rating model with large capacity and increased power is used by users who use a variety of techniques for leisure and work. These can be flash cameras, players, a wireless keyboard, headphones, a mouse, as well as radio-controlled toys.
The smallest capacity of such batteries is 2500 mAh in “finger-type” (AA) and 930 mAh in “finger-type” (AAA). Eneloop Pro’s uptime for these gadgets is between 1.8 and 3.3 hours. These batteries have an increased nominal capacity compared to simple Eneloop, at the same time, the number of recharge cycles is much less. For example, the BK-3HCCE model with a capacity of 2450 mAh recharges only 500 times.
The Eneloop Pro 2500 mAh BK 4HCDE 4BE + battery box maintains a constant voltage throughout the cycle, making it possible for the device to work correctly with high energy consumption. Moreover, the lack of memory elements allows you to charge at any stage of the discharge.
Eneloop
According to the manufacturer, Eneloop modern elements use a special alloy lattice manufacturing technology that increases self-discharge resistance. After one year of storage, they have a charge of up to 85% energy.
Finger batteries marked BK-3MCCE and 4MCCE have increased charge / discharge cycles. The capacity in this case is 1900 and 750 mAh, respectively. As well as Eneloop batteries, they maintain a voltage of at least 1.2 V for a long time.
For batteries, this is a very important indicator, since many electronic devices turn off and refuse to work if the external voltage drops below 1.2 V. In addition, according to the manufacturer, the batteries of this kind do not discharge at low temperatures and can be used up to -20 degrees .
On a note! The capacity of alkaline batteries in cold weather is reduced by 3-4 times. This is because there is an electrolyte inside them, the temperature of which directly affects the mobility of the ions, that is, the operation of the battery.
Eneloop lite
This model is the best option for equipment for daily use with low energy consumption. For example, they are good for DEST telephones, remote controls, while guaranteeing a long and economical service life. The number of charge / discharge cycles reaches 3,000 times. Eneloop Lite batteries have a continuous life of one to one and a half hours.
Where are Eneloop batteries used?
Nickel-metal hydride batteries are used in devices where previously only alkaline disposable batteries were used. An additional advantage of this LSD technology was the ability to charge batteries at the factory and sell them as finished products for use.
Eneloop batteries are used in the following devices:
- flashlights;
- electromechanical toys;
- radio-controlled gliders;
- portable hair clippers;
- players
- cameras, etc.
Most of these items have a shelf life of several months.
How to charge Eneloop batteries
Eneloop batteries go on sale charged, and seemingly quite ready for use, but this is the wrong approach. Eneloop manufacturers recommend making charge / discharge cycles in the same mode as the MH-C9000 or simple NiMH batteries, with a current setting of about 30%. In other words, if the battery capacity is 1000 mAh, then the current on the device must be set to 300 mA.
Important! When charging, it is unacceptable to set a current exceeding the rated current that is shown on the battery itself.
But it’s easier to use a special Battery Charger Compact BQ-CC50 to charge finger AA batteries with a capacity of up to 1900 mAh. It has slots for two elements. It remains only to place batteries in them and connect the memory to a power source with a voltage of 100 to 240 V.
